How to Apply for OHIP as a Newcomer in Ontario (2026)

What documents do you need to get an OHIP health card?

You need three separate documents, and each one does a different job. The first proves your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, the second proves you live in Ontario, and the third proves your identity with your name and signature. The status and identity documents must be originals, while the residency document can be an original, a printed copy, or a digital or electronic version. Photocopies of the status and identity documents are not accepted. Children under 16 need a status document but do not need separate proof of residency or identity. Gather all three before your visit so you are not turned away at the counter.

Is there still a waiting period for OHIP coverage?

No. There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP. Ontario removed the former three-month wait, so if you are eligible you have immediate health insurance coverage once your application is approved. You do not need to be physically present in Ontario for 153 days before you apply. The 153-day rule is a presence test you satisfy over your first months in the province, not a delay before applying. You can apply for coverage as soon as you arrive, hold an eligible status, and have the required documents. Until your application is approved, keep any private travel or newcomer health insurance active so you are not left without cover during your first days.

Do work permit holders qualify for OHIP?

Many work permit holders qualify, but only if they meet the work conditions. Under the 2026 rules you must be in Ontario on a valid work permit and working full time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least six months. If you meet that test, your spouse and dependants may also qualify for OHIP. If your work permit has expired but you hold maintained status, formerly called implied status, you may still be eligible, and ServiceOntario can confirm your case. Workers under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program qualify on a valid permit under those streams. For the federal side of working in the country, see IRCC on how to Work in Canada.

Do international students on a study permit get OHIP?

Generally no. International students who hold only a study permit are not on Ontario's list of OHIP-eligible groups, so most students are not covered by OHIP. Instead, publicly funded universities and colleges enrol students in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), and many private plans are available too. A student becomes OHIP-eligible only by also falling into a qualifying category, for example by holding a qualifying full-time job on a valid work permit or by having an approved permanent residence application on file. If you are studying in Ontario, confirm your coverage with your school before you arrive. The federal Study permit pages explain the conditions attached to your status.

Do your spouse and children each need their own OHIP card?

Yes. Every family member must register for their own health card and have their own immigration document from IRCC. There is no single family card. Each adult brings the three required documents, and each child needs a status document of their own. The one easing is for children under 16, who need a status document but do not need separate proof of Ontario residency or identity. Spouses and dependants of an eligible full-time worker can qualify alongside that worker. Bringing every person's documents to the same ServiceOntario visit lets the family register together. You can review the federal guidance on Permanent resident cards and status to see which document proves each person's status.

What happens to your OHIP coverage if you leave Ontario?

Your OHIP can lapse if you are away too long. If you are outside Ontario for more than 212 days in any 12-month period, you may have to reapply for OHIP in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Short trips are fine, and limited exceptions exist for some work or study absences, but a long stay abroad can end your coverage until you re-establish residency and reapply. Keep records that show Ontario remained your primary home, such as a lease, employment letters, and bank statements. If your coverage lapses, follow the same in-person steps you used the first time. Newcomers planning a long trip back home should check the rules before they travel so they do not lose health coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are required for OHIP?

You need three separate identification documents: one proving your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, one proving you live in Ontario, and one proving your identity. The status and identity documents must be originals, while the residency document can be original, printed, or digital. Photocopies of the status and identity documents are not accepted.

How do I apply for OHIP in Ontario?

You apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring the completed Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage form and your three documents. There is no online application for a first health card, though you may be able to book an appointment before your visit.

Can I apply for OHIP right away?

Yes. You can apply as soon as you arrive in Ontario, provided you hold an OHIP-eligible status and bring the three required documents. You do not have to wait out the 153-day presence test before applying, because there is no waiting period for coverage.

Is there a waiting period for OHIP in Ontario?

No. Ontario removed the former three-month waiting period. If you are eligible, your coverage starts immediately once your application is approved, so you only need private insurance until that approval comes through.

Do work permit holders qualify for OHIP?

Often yes. You qualify if you hold a valid work permit and work full time for an Ontario employer for at least six months. If you meet that test, your spouse and dependants may also qualify. Caregivers and seasonal agricultural workers qualify on a valid permit under their federal program.

Sources

• Apply for OHIP and get a health card, ontario.ca
• Documents needed to get a health card, ontario.ca
• Learn about health care in Canada, IRCC
• Settling in Canada, IRCC
• Permanent resident cards and status, IRCC

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Under Canadian law, only a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), a Canadian immigration lawyer, or a Quebec notary may be paid to represent you to IRCC. Go Far Global is a Toronto RCIC firm (RCIC #R515110). Book a consultation to confirm your OHIP eligibility and your wider immigration options.